Bournemouth were on the brink of falling out of the Football League, a 17-point deduction and seven points adrift from safety at the bottom of League Two at Christmas.
The decision to appoint a rookie manager with so much at stake was the last roll of the dice for the former Bournemouth co-owner Adam Murry.
The "massive risk" would turn into one of the best decisions the club has ever made as Eddie Howe turned from novice manager into potential England head coach.
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After Unai Emery's public rejection of the club, the Magpies have turned to Howe in order to steer the club away from relegation.
The rhetoric of Howe being the man who took the Cherries down has overshadowed the meteoric rise of the south coast club, with reservations out there about his ability to steer Newcastle to safety.
However, Murry's interview with the Bournemouth Daily Echo, gives a great insight into the man who's set to be given the reins at St. James' Park.
“It was a massive risk for both of us really,” Murry told the Daily Echo. “We both discussed it, took the decision and went forward.
“But I could see the quality of the man and that’s never been challenged any time through the whole period in his management career. He’s always remained that man and that’s the quality that I think you’ve got to look up to for sure.”
Murry added: “I’d like to think that I was a good judge of character. I think it’s one of the qualities that I saw in him initially, that he’s kept right the way through.
“So it was a good decision and the right decision and he made good on that decision.”
Howe inherited a club on it's knees and the transformation into a Premier League outfit was nothing short of miracle.
“For Eddie to go through all the ups and downs, and it’s not as if he came into a stable club at the beginning, it was a consistent battle initially,” Murry said.
“He was always consistently fighting against the odds and being one of the smallest clubs anyway, you’ve always got that challenge of trying to compete with the big boys and that’s going to take its toll.
"Not only on yourself but also your family life and in some cases, to remain efficient you’ve got to take some time out. I don’t think he’s had time out in an awful long time and it wasn’t one of the easiest challenges to get involved with in the first place.
“It was the challenge of challenges and what he’s done is incredible. I know he made an awful lot of sacrifices in regards to his personal life to be able to achieve that, which is why he’s probably got the send-off that he’s got. He’s done such a great job. I don’t think anybody can ever say anything different.”
He continued: “I think sometimes we take our eye off what’s really, really important. I think one thing that COVID-19 kind of taught us, is our values at home. Sometimes we forget about that – we’re concentrated tunnel-vision on the job we’ve got to do and you forget about everybody else and everything around you.
“He’s still a young man. It’s important that he gets to see his sons grow up, gets to see his sons play football games and that’s the most important thing in my opinion and he’s certainly entitled to take a bit of time out.
“Everybody needs time out. Regardless of whether the club stayed up or got relegated, I think he’s making important decisions from a personal aspect as well.
“So I think he’s made the right decision in respect of you can’t keep going and not take a break.”
Howe name dropped Murry in his departure statement at Bournemouth and thanked the former chief for putting faith in him all those years ago.
Howe: “To Adam Murry, thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to manage Bournemouth as a 31-year-old. I will always remember the belief and support you showed me.”
When asked if it was nice to see his name mentioned, Murry said: “Absolutely, I appreciate that.
“But he’s always been very grounded, he’s always kept very humble and that’s one of the qualities you can see in Eddie right the way through. It’s not gone to his head.
“That’s very few and far between in this day and age. He’s always remained that.”
Murry said: “It was extremely challenging in the beginning with what was going on at the club and trying to stabilise it. It was one of the hardest battles I’ve ever got involved with.
“At that time as well it was a very difficult period because we were just coming into a recession as well. We both took the plunge and it came off successful. I was just glad to be a part of it.
“It was a challenge beyond a challenge, but it paid off and it worked well. Eddie has set AFC Bournemouth new levels now, and without doubt, a legacy that won’t ever be forgotten.
“Wherever Eddie Howe goes, they can’t get much better, and I wish him and his family the very best for the future.”
